Vivek’s Great Ohio Exit: Strive Ditches the Buckeye State While Yost Keeps Striving for Ohioans

Ramaswamy’s Promises Can’t Match Yost’s Proven Record. Ohio Needs a Leader, Not a Leaver.

In a move that screams “I’m outta here,” Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech billionaire turned political wannabe, yanked his company, Strive Enterprises, out of Columbus, Ohio, faster than you can say “Buckeye betrayal.” On November 1, 2024, Strive announced its relocation to Dallas, Texas, chasing what Ramaswamy called a more “business-friendly” environment. Meanwhile, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a public servant with over three decades of experience, continues to fight for Ohioans, racking up wins against corruption, corporate polluters, and protecting Ohioans predatory telemarketers, robocalls and scam. As Ramaswamy campaigns to be Ohio’s next governor in 2026 with zero years in public office, his company’s exit raises a snarky but serious question: Why should Ohioans trust a guy who ditched the state for Texas glitz when Yost’s track record screams loyalty, results, and relentless service? Ohio needs proven, not promising—and Yost is the gold standard.

Strive’s Ohio Exodus: Ramaswamy’s Business Bolts for “Y’all Street”

Let’s start with Vivek’s big Ohio oopsie. Strive Enterprises, the anti-“woke” asset management firm Ramaswamy co-founded in 2022, was supposed to be a Columbus success story. With $1.7 billion in assets under management, it could’ve been a job-creating boon for Ohio. But nope—Ramaswamy packed up and shipped out to Dallas, lured by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s promise of a “Y’all Street” paradise. At an Ohio chamber event in November 2024, Ramaswamy’s CEO, Matt Cole, claimed Texas was more “business-friendly” than Ohio, a state that’s been bending over backward to attract investment. Translation? Lower taxes and fewer regulations were too tempting for Vivek’s wallet to resist. By Q1 2025, most of Strive’s Columbus staff were expected to relocate or be left behind, a gut punch to Ohio workers who thought Ramaswamy was one of their own.

This wasn’t just a business move—it was a signal. Ramaswamy, who announced his gubernatorial bid on February 24, 2025, in Cincinnati, wants Ohioans to believe he’s all-in for the Buckeye State. Yet his actions tell a different story: when the going gets tough, Vivek gets going—straight to Texas. His campaign rallies, packed with Trumpian flair and promises to slash taxes and regulations, conveniently gloss over the fact that he already voted with his feet against Ohio’s economic future. If Strive’s departure is any clue, Ramaswamy’s loyalty seems as fleeting as his brief stint co-leading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he quit on Inauguration Day 2025 to chase his governor dreams. Ohioans deserve better than a guy who treats their state like a pit stop.

Dave Yost: Ohio’s Battle-Tested Champion

Now, let’s talk about the man who’s been striving for Ohio while Ramaswamy was scheming for greener pastures. Dave Yost, Ohio’s Attorney General since 2019, is a titan of public service with over 30 years of experience—four statewide election wins, zero losses, and a resume that reads like a love letter to the Buckeye State. Born in Delaware County, Yost cut his teeth as a journalist before becoming a prosecutor, county auditor, and state auditor, exposing corruption and saving taxpayers millions. As Attorney General, he’s been a one-man wrecking crew against Ohio’s enemies, from corrupt politicians to corporate polluters.

Yost’s highlight reel is jaw-dropping. In 2020, he spearheaded the investigation into the $1 billion House Bill 6 scandal, the largest corruption case in Ohio history, nailing former House Speaker Larry Householder and FirstEnergy executives for a pay-to-play scheme that fleeced ratepayers. He’s locked up over 170 corrupt public officials, proving he’s nobody’s puppet. When Norfolk Southern’s train derailment poisoned East Palestine in 2023, Yost sued the company, securing cleanup funds and accountability for Ohioans left choking on toxic fumes. He’s taken on Big Tech, filing lawsuits against Google and Meta for censorship and privacy violations, and fought for Ohio’s strict abortion laws, winning a 21-point landslide in 2022. His campaign coffers? A cool $2.5 million, built on grassroots trust, not self-funded millions like Vivek’s war chest.

Yost’s vision for Ohio is as grounded as his record. He wants to shift from “problem-based” to “goal-based” policies, boosting manufacturing, cutting red tape, and ensuring public funds for projects like sports franchises come from user taxes, not Ohioans’ pockets. Unlike Ramaswamy, who’s never faced a voter, Yost knows Ohio’s heartbeat—its steel towns, its farms, its suburbs—because he’s served them all. He’s an outsider to Columbus’s cozy political machine, clashing with moderates like Governor Mike DeWine and never bowing to insiders. When asked about Ramaswamy’s endorsements from state officials like Frank LaRose and Robert Sprague, Yost quipped, “It says more about their part in the Columbus machine than it does about me.” That’s the kind of straight-talking grit Ohioans respect.

Vivek vs. Yost: Promises vs. Proof

Ramaswamy’s campaign is all flash and no substance. At 39, he’s a Cincinnati-born biotech mogul with a $1.1 billion net worth, a Harvard-Yale pedigree, and a knack for TV soundbites. His 2024 presidential run fizzled in Iowa’s fourth-place ashes, but he’s leveraged Trump’s endorsement—nabbed hours after his February 24, 2025, campaign launch—to paint himself as Ohio’s “America First” savior. He’s promised to zero out income and property taxes, ban classroom cell phones, and make Ohio a hub for semiconductors and bitcoin. Sounds great, Vivek, but where’s the plan? His only political “experience” was a month co-leading DOGE, which he ditched faster than Strive ditched Columbus. Polls show him leading Yost—46% to 18% in one February 2025 survey—but Yost’s support climbs to 30% when voters learn his record, proving name recognition isn’t loyalty.

Ramaswamy’s Strive move to Texas is the ultimate red flag. Ohio’s been fighting to keep businesses, and Vivek’s exit cost jobs and trust. He claims he’ll make Ohio “business-friendly,” but if he thought Columbus was too tough for Strive, why should voters believe he’ll stick around as governor? His anti-ESG crusade and bitcoin bets might thrill Wall Street, but Ohioans need schools funded, roads fixed, and communities safe—not a governor moonlighting as a crypto bro. Yost, meanwhile, has never quit on Ohio. He’s won cases for Secretary of State Frank LaRose, even when LaRose endorsed Ramaswamy, showing Yost puts duty over grudges. When Trump endorsed Vivek, Yost didn’t sulk—he doubled down, saying, “I support President Trump and hope to earn his support.” That’s a leader who fights, not flees.

Ohio Needs Proven, Not Promising

Ohio’s governor race isn’t a reality show—it’s a job for someone who’s earned the state’s trust. Ramaswamy’s a smooth talker, but his Strive exit proves he’s more about self-interest than Ohio’s interest. Why trust a guy with zero public office experience, who moved his company to Texas, to lead a state he’s barely served? Dave Yost, with 30-plus years of victories, is Ohio’s proven warrior. He’s exposed billion-dollar scams, protected communities, and stood up to corporate giants—all while Vivek was writing books about “woke” boogeymen and chasing Fox News hits. Yost’s still striving for Ohio, winning sheriff endorsements (30 counties to Vivek’s 21 as of March 2025) and building a campaign on results, not rhetoric.

Ohioans know the difference between a leader and a leaver. Yost’s got the scars and the wins to prove he’s in it for the long haul. Ramaswamy? He’s already got one foot out the door, probably dreaming of Dallas penthouses while Ohioans grind. The Buckeye State deserves a governor who’s all-in, not all-out. Dave Yost is that governor—tested, trusted, and tougher than a Cleveland winter. Vivek, take your promises and your bitcoin elsewhere. Ohio’s got Yost, and that’s all we need.

Texas Cracks Down on EPIC’s Illegal Funeral Operations

 

A Legal Battle Unfolds Over Licensing, Sharia Law Concerns, and Community Tensions

On March 25, 2025, the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) issued a cease-and-desist letter to the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), ordering an immediate halt to what state officials have labeled "illegal funeral service operations." This action marks a significant escalation in an ongoing legal and political saga surrounding EPIC, a mosque tied to the controversial EPIC City project—a 402-acre planned Muslim-centric community in North Texas. The TFSC’s move, backed by Governor Greg Abbott, stems from allegations that EPIC has been operating a funeral home without the required state license, a violation of Texas law under the Occupations Code, Chapter 651. As of April 10, 2025, this incident is just one piece of a broader legal battle involving multiple state agencies, raising questions about regulatory compliance, religious freedom, and the specter of Sharia law in Texas.

The Cease-and-Desist: Why It Happened

The TFSC’s letter, detailed in a press release from Governor Abbott’s office, accuses EPIC of conducting funeral services without an establishment license, a mandatory requirement under Texas law for any entity providing such services for compensation. According to the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 651, only licensed funeral homes can legally handle the preparation, transportation, and disposition of human remains. EPIC’s license reportedly expired in 2022, and while the mosque claimed a partnership with Rahma Funeral Home—a licensed entity since 2004—Rahma’s owner, Qadeer Qazi, has publicly distanced his business from EPIC, stating there is no contractual relationship. The TFSC has referred the matter to the Collin County District Attorney for potential criminal prosecution, signaling that the state views this as more than a mere administrative oversight.

Governor Abbott framed the action as a defense of Texas law, stating, “Here in Texas, we uphold the rule of law. The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound in Collin County is knowingly breaking state law in many ways, including by operating a funeral home without a license. This is a crime, and it will not be tolerated.” The cease-and-desist letter, issued days before the TFSC’s quarterly meeting on April 3, 2025, underscores the state’s zero-tolerance stance on unlicensed operations in the death care industry.

The Bigger Legal Battle

The funeral service crackdown is only the latest chapter in a multifaceted investigation into EPIC and its ambitious EPIC City project. Announced earlier in March 2025, a dozen Texas state agencies—including the Attorney General’s Office, the Texas State Securities Board, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality—are probing EPIC for alleged violations ranging from consumer protection breaches to potential financial fraud and environmental permitting failures. The Texas Rangers were also directed by Abbott on March 31, 2025, to investigate “potential criminal activities” tied to EPIC, though specific charges remain undisclosed as of this writing.

At the heart of the controversy is EPIC City, a proposed development in Josephine, 40 miles northeast of Dallas, featuring over 1,000 homes, a mosque, a K-12 Islamic school, and other amenities. Critics, including Abbott, have raised alarms about the project’s implications, with the governor asserting on X in February 2025, “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities. Nor are ‘no-go zones’ which this project seems to imply.” This rhetoric ties into a 2017 Texas law, House Bill 45, signed by Abbott, which prohibits the use of foreign laws—like Sharia—in state courts if they infringe on constitutional rights, reinforcing that Texas operates solely under American legal frameworks.

CAIR’s Response: Deflection and Denial

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a frequent player in controversies involving Muslim communities, has not stayed silent. In a statement reported by KERA News on April 2, 2025, CAIR described Sharia as “the moral code for followers of Islam,” emphasizing its variability across sects and communities, akin to the diversity of Christian legal traditions. CAIR has dismissed Abbott’s Sharia-related accusations as baseless fearmongering, arguing there’s no evidence EPIC intends to establish a separate legal system. However, CAIR’s defense has been light on specifics regarding the funeral service allegations, focusing instead on broader claims of religious discrimination against Texas Muslims. Their response sidesteps the concrete licensing issue, offering little to counter the TFSC’s documented findings, which weakens their position in this particular dispute.

Digging Deeper: Context and Tensions

EPIC’s troubles began gaining traction in early 2025, spurred by local opposition and political scrutiny. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into EPIC City on March 25, 2025, targeting potential consumer protection violations, while the Texas State Securities Board followed suit, examining possible financial improprieties. The Texas Workplace Commission joined in, probing whether EPIC’s housing plans violate the Texas Fair Housing Act by discriminating against non-Muslims—a claim EPIC denies, asserting it will conduct “individualized assessments” of buyers for safety, not religious exclusion.

The funeral service issue adds a tangible legal hook to what some see as a politically charged campaign. EPIC’s website once touted its partnership with Rahma Funeral Home, a claim now removed, suggesting an attempt to distance itself from the controversy. Yet, the TFSC’s action is grounded in clear regulatory authority, not conjecture. Texas law mandates licensing to protect public health and consumer trust, and EPIC’s apparent lapse—whether intentional or negligent—has handed state officials a solid basis for intervention.

Community reactions are mixed. At a Collin County Commissioners’ Court hearing on March 31, 2025, residents voiced concerns about resource strain from EPIC City, like water and emergency services, while others, including former candidate Darrell Evans, decried the investigations as targeting Muslim “ideas” rather than crimes. Meanwhile, EPIC’s leadership, via Community Capital Partners president Imran Chaudhary, has pledged cooperation with Paxton’s office, insisting the project aims for legal compliance and community integration.

Sharia Law and Texas: The Legal Reality

Abbott’s invocation of Sharia law isn’t just rhetoric—it’s rooted in Texas statute. House Bill 45, enacted in 2017, explicitly bars courts from applying foreign laws that conflict with U.S. constitutional protections. While Sharia isn’t illegal as a personal moral code, any attempt to enforce it as a parallel legal system in Texas would be void. No evidence has surfaced that EPIC’s funeral operations or EPIC City plans involve Sharia governance, but the state’s aggressive stance reflects a broader cultural clash amplified by the project’s scale and religious framing.

What’s Next?

As of April 10, 2025, EPIC has not publicly confirmed compliance with the cease-and-desist order, and the Collin County DA’s office has yet to announce charges. The overlapping investigations signal a protracted legal fight, with the funeral service violation providing a clear-cut entry point for enforcement. Whether this is a standalone regulatory issue or a springboard for dismantling EPIC City remains unclear, but Texas officials show no signs of backing down. For now, the state holds the upper hand, armed with licensing laws and a public narrative of law-and-order supremacy.

For more details on the TFSC’s authority, visit the official Texas Funeral Service Commission website. For Abbott’s statements, refer to his official press release. The saga continues to unfold, with Texas law—and not much else—calling the shots.